🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically done following Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality off the field. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and should seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and habit to hit huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team till C